Loom picker stick check



Aug. 8, 1961 o. l.. CARTER LOOM PICKER STICK CHECK 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 8, 1959 ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1961 o. l.. CARTER LOOM PICKER STICK CHECK 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1959 OTx L. CARTER ATTORNEYS O. L* CARTER LOOM PICKER STICK CHECK Aug. i8, 1961,

.'5 Sheets-Shea?l 3 Filed June 8, 1959 INVENTOR: cm2 L.. CARTER IUQVAM'W ATTORNEY United States This invention generally relates to looms and, more especially, to an improved picker stick check for looms which includes -a novel support for the check strap which support is so constructed as to permit freedom of movement o-f the check strap about the Ipoints at which it is connected to the support so as to not only extend the useful life of the check strap, but to also support the check strap in such a manner to prevent the support from becoming worn or out of alinement to thereby last indefinitely.

As is well known, most picker stick checks include a belt which forms a check strap through which the picker stick extends. The picker stick is thrown against a portion of the check strap each time a shuttle is thrown into the corresponding shuttle box and then the picker stick throws the shuttle out of the box with a return or inward picking stroke thereof and again engages and moves inwardly with a portion of the check strap.

Some prior devices have included a check strap support having one or more pins or shafts for connecting looped portions or members on opposed ends or either end of the check strap to the check strap support. However, such prior devices have required frequent repair or adjustment due to the fact that the pins were not adequately supported to withstand the repeated impacts of the picker stick against the check strap. Also, many such devices have included separate elements carried by the hanger of the checking apparatus, and such supports were not only difficult to install, but they required frequent adjustment to compensate for the support elements or brackets becoming displaced due to the impacts of the picker stick against the check strap.

It is a primary object of this invention to overcome the above defects by providing a picker stick check having a check strap bracket or support in the form of a solid integral member having a rigidly supported pin in at least one end thereof for supporting a corresponding looped end portion of a check strap.

The check strap support of the present invention comprises a substantially ilat ybody which is slotted for reception of a bolt extending through the usual hanger and whereby the body can be adjusted relative to the hanger. Further, either end of the body is provided with at least two spaced ears formed integral with the body and which support spaced portions of a pin or bolt, which may or may not be provided with suitable spacer means or bearing means thereon, and about which a corresponding looped end portion of a check strap is positioned. The ears are maintained apart so the corresponding portion of the check strap may move freely and pivot freely about the corresponding pin or bolt, or the sleeve or bearing positioned on the bolt.

In one form of the invention, a spaced pair of ears is provided at each end of the bracket for carrying the pin about which a corresponding looped portion of the check strap is positioned. In another form of the invention, one or more intervening ears are spaced between the upper and lower ears and the corresponding end of the check strap is slit or slotted to receive the corresponding intermediate ear or ears. This provides for additional exibility in the check strap as it is distorted by the impact of the picker stick with the check strap, it being well known that the picker stick engages corresponding atent O ICC portions of the check strap while extending at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the check strap support.

Further embodiments of this invention include, in addition to the ears at one end of the support, a vertically extend-ing pin formed integral with the body, and a horizontally extending pin formed integral with the body, either vertically or horizontally extending pin being adapted to receive a corresponding end portion of the check strap.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection `with the accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE l is a rear elevation of one end portion of a lay of a loom showing a picker stick, picker and the improved picker stick check in association therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along line 2--2 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of the first form of bracket or check strap support removed from the hanger of the checking unit;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 4 4 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a view simil-ar to FIGURE 4 in which a shoulder bolt is used for maintaining the required separation between the corresponding ears of the bracket rather than a sleeve as shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is another view similar to FIGURE 4 in which a friction or sleeve bearing is positioned about the shoulder bolt of FIGURE 5 to provide a metallic bearing surface between the corresponding looped end portion of the check strap and the pin or shoulder bolt;

FIGURE 7 is an elevation of a second form of the irnproved check strap support including intermediate ears between the upper and lower ears and showing a novel check strap mounted thereon;

FIGURE 8 is an isometric view of the structure shown in FIGURE 7 omitting the bolts and showing the check strap, spacing sleeves and Ibrackets in exploded relationshi FIGURE 9 is an elevation similar to FIGURE 7 and showing a third form of the invention wherein one end of the support is provided with three ears thereon and the other end is provided with two ears thereon;

FIGURE l0 is another view similar to FIGURE 7 with portions of the check strap broken away and shown in cross-section, and showing a fourth form of the invention in which one end of the support is provided with a plurality of ears and the other end is provided with a pair of ears between which a pin or pivot is formed integral therewith;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along line 11-11 in FIGURE l0;

FIGURE l2. is a view similar to FIGURE 10 showing a fifth -forrn of the invention in which ears are provided at one end of the bracket and the other end of the bracket is pro-vided with a substantially horizontal pin or shaft portion which penetratess one end portion of the check Strap; and

FIGURE 13 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along line 13-113 in FIGURE 12.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 20 indicates the oscillatable lay of a loom through which the usual picker stick 21 extends. The picker stick 21 has a picker 22 on its upper end for propelling a shuttle across lay 20 and for receiving a boxed shuttle thereagainst. The shuttle is omitted in the present drawings.

The picker stick 21 is moved to and fro by conventional means, not shown, and in so doing, the picker stick engages a check strap 24 so as to cushion and check its movement at each end of its stroke. The check strap 24 may be of any desired construction and is shown in the form of a multi-pliable member preferably made from leather with a yfabric material applied to the exterior sur- Iface thereof. The medial portion of a check strap 24 passes through a conventional friction device suitably suspended from the lay Ztl and which comprises a pair of inner friction fingers 25 and an outer friction finger 26. As is well known, the outer friction linger 26 is adjustable inwardly and outwardly relative to the inner friction tingers 25 for applying a certain amount of Ifriction to the check strap 24 passing between linger 26 and fingers 25.

The check strap 24 has loop members 30, 31 suitably secured to opposite ends thereof, as by rivets 32. A helper strap 33 may also be secured to the inner end portion of check strap 24 for reinforcing the check strap as picker stick 21 engages the same at the end of each active stroke of picker stick 2l. It will be noted that the bights of the loop members 30, 31 are spaced from the corresponding 'ends of the strap 24 so as to be mounted on the improved check strap support to be presently described. The lay 20 also has a suitable hanger 34 suitably secured to the rear surface thereof which has a downwardly extending portion 35. Portion 35 of hanger 34 is penetrated by a bolt 36 for securing the improved check strap support or bracket 37 thereto.

Bracket 37 comprises a substantially ilat or planar body 40 which is provided with a longitudinally extending or substantially horizontally extending slot 41 therein. Slot 41 terminates short of opposite ends of the body 40. The shank of bolt 36 loosely extends through slot 41 and secures the support 4t) to stem 35 of hanger 34 by means of Washers 43 and a nut 44. In order to assist in maintaining bracket or support 4G in the desired position, the outer surface of bracket 40 is provided with a plurality of relatively narrow rib portions thereon, one of which is indicated at 45 and extends entirely around slot 4l.

A plurality of other ribs are shown extending vertically from opposed upper and lower portions of endless rib 45, the latter ribs being indicated at 46. In addition, a substantially horizontal rib 47 extends from each looped end portion of rib 45 to the corresponding outer end of the body 40. All the ribs 45, 46, 47 are preferably relatively thin so as to be upset by the inner -washer 43 being tightened thereagainst when nut 44 is tightened on bolt 36. Al-though it is preferable that support 37 be positioned against the outer surface of stern 35 of hanger 34, it is contemplated that the outer surface of body 40V may be positioned against the inner surface of stem 35.

Formed integral with opposite ends of body 4t) are spaced parallel and relatively thin ears for supporting therebetween corresponding looped members 30, 31 at opposite ends of check strap 24. The ears at that end of body 40 adjacent the outer end of lay 20 are indicated at 50, 51 and the ears at the inner end of bracket or support 37 are indicated at 52, 53. The ears 52, 53 have respective holes therethrough for receiving pins about which portion 61 loosely penetrates the corresponding hole 56 or 59 through -the respective lower ears 51, 53 as the case may be. VIn FIGURE 4, ears 50, l and the respective bolt `60 are shown in detail. It will be noted that the body or shank of bolt 60 is encircled by a spacer sleeve 62 which, as shown in FIGURE 4, maintains the respective ears 50, 51 in proper spaced relationship so they do not bind opposite ends of loop portion 3d, which Vsubstantially surrounds 'the respectivesleeve62'on'the body of bolt 69. This is particularrly desirable due to the fact that a washer 63 and a nut 64 are mounted on the lower threaded portion 61 of each bolt 60. Since the ears 50, 51 are relatively thin, the sleeve 62 permits the nut 64 to be tightened to any desired extent on the threaded portion 61 of each bolt 69.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the picker stick may repeatedly ilex opposite end portions of the check strap 24 with heavy impacts without varying the relative positions of the bolts 60 secured in the respective pairs of ears 5G, 51 and 52, 53, and Without causing these bolts to move relative to body 4l) or stem 35 of hanger 34.

It is preferable that the inner ears 52, 53 of bracket 37 are relatively shorter or do not project rearwardly beyond the body 40 to the extent that the ears 50, 51 should extend. This is desirable because of the fact that the casings (not shown) for the usual gearing or motors of most looms are disposed very close to the lay or checking apparatus when the lay 20 moves in a rearward stroke and, if the inner ears 52, 53 extended rearwardly beyond body 4d to :the extent that the ears 50, 51 should extend, they would engage the gear casings or motors of such looms. Further, the ears 50, 51 of the outer end of the body 40 of support 37 should project outwardly or rearwardly relative to the body 40 to a substantial extent in order that the corresponding pivot pin 60 may be positioned suiciently rearwardly of the path of travel of the picker stick 21 to provide a smoother curved check strap portion for engagement by the picker stick 21 in the course of its outward or shuttle-receiving strokes.

It is apparent, by referring to FIGURES 2. and 3, that by 'projecting the two sets of ears 50-53 rearwardly of body 4tlg the body 4t) may be relatively thin, and the ears provide sutcient material to adequately support the loop portions 30, 3l and the pins 60, even though the pins 6@ may be positioned partially or entirely rearwardly of the plane of the rear face of body 40 as shown in FIG- URE 2. This permits the right-hand or outer portion of the check strap 24 to be curved at a relatively large radius to thereby reduce the extent to which the check strap 24 must be exed each time the picker stick 21 completes a shuttle-receiving or inactive stroke, thereby increasing the useful life of the check strap 24.

FIGURE 5 shows portions of ears 50a, 51a which are representative of ears 50, 51 and 52, 53, and wherein a shoulder bolt 60a is substituted for the straight bolt 60. As is the case in the illustration of FIGURE 4, the shoulder bolt 69a is provided with a square or polygonal portion 57a which fits in the corresponding square hole 54a in ear 50a. However, the body of shoulder bolt 60a is enlarged to the extent that it is provided with a reduced threaded portion 61a which extends through hole 56a and has a washer 63a and nut 64a mounted thereon. Since the shoulder at the juncture of the body and the reduced threaded portion 61a of shoulder bolt 60a bears against the upper surface of ear 51a, nut 64a rnay be tightened to any desired extent without forcing the ears 50a, Sla toward each other, thus preventing the ears 50a, 51a from binding the corresponding looped portion 30a of check strap 24a. Thus, ears 50a, 51a rigidly support spaced portions of the pin embodied in shoulder bolt 69a, and the looped end of check strap 24a substantially encircles said pin between said spaced portions. Since a sleeve need not be used with shoulder bolt 60a, the bight of loop member 30a engages the body of shoulder bolt 60a.

In FIGURE 6, ears 50b, 51b are shown in which they are also provided with a shoulder bolt 60h, of the type shown in FIGURE 5. Accordingly, the parts in FIG- URE 6 shall bear the sarne reference characters as the parts in FIGURE 5, with the suffix letter b substituted for a, where applicable. The ears 50b, Slb correspond to the respective ears 50, 51 in FIGURE 3. The structure in FIGURE 6 differs from that shown in FIG- /URE 5 only iu that a friction bearing or sleeve bearing 72, which is preferably made from an oil-impregnated metal, is provided between the loop member 30b, at the corresponding end of check strap 24b, and the body of the shoulder bolt 60h. Bearing 72 is preferably of the type commonly known as an oilite bearing. Bearing 72 is preferably slightly shorter than the distance between ears tlb, 51h so that it may rotate freely about the body of shoulder bolt Gtb and with the corresponding looped portion or end member Sfb of check strap 241;.

Referring to FIGURES 7 and 8, a second form of the invention is shown in which the check strap support is quite similar to the check strap support of the first form of the invention, but is provided with additional intermediate ears between the upper and lower ears at opposite ends of the bracket. Also, the check strap is provided with slits to accommodate the additional ears on the body of the support. Accordingly, those parts in FIGURES 7 and 8 which are similar to corresponding parts shown in FIGURES l through 4 will bear the same reference characters, with the small letter c added thereto, to avoid repetitive description.

In order to provide increased flexibility to the ends of the check strap 24e so that its rounded end portions may better conform to the angle of the picker stick as it approaches the ends of its strokes in opposite directions, opposed ends of the body 4de of -the second form of support 37e are provided with intermediate ears or ear portions spaced between opposed upper and lower ear portions.

In this instance, ears Sila, 51C and 52C, 53C have respective pairs of spaced intermediate ears 80, S1 and 82, 83 spaced therebetween, which ears may be relatively staggered as shown on opposite ends of body 40C, or they may be disposed in substantially horizontal alinement with each other. In other words, ears 80, 82 may be in the same horizontal plane and ears 81, 83 may be in the same horizontal plane, if desired.

In order to lend flexibility to check strap 24C, the looped portions 30e, 31C are severed or slotted at 84, 85 and S6, 87 to form respective groups of relatively thin strap portions `9il-92 and 93-95 which loosely fit in the spaces between the respective ears 50c, 8f), 81, 51e and 52C, 82, 83, 53C. In order to maintain all the ears at each end of the body 49C in proper spaced relationship as nuts 64C are tightened on the respective bolts 6de, the shank or body of each bolt 66C has a plurality of spacing sleeves 96 positioned thereon. Of course, the intermediate ears 80, 81, 82, 83 are each provided with a hole 97 through which the corresponding bolts or pins 60C loosely extend. Sleeves 96 are disposed between and engage the proximal surfaces of the corresponding ears 50c, S0, 81, 51C and 52C, 82, 83 and 53C.

The third form of the invention shown in FIGURE 9 is also quite similar to the first form of the invention and like parts will bear the same reference characters with the small letter d added thereto, where applicable, in order to avoid repetitive description. The structure shown in FIGURE 9 may be a combination of that shown in FIGURES l through 4 and 7 and 8, to the extent that one end of body 40d is provided with the two end ears 52d and 53d while the other end of body 40d is provided with an intermediate ear 1th) in addition to the upper and lower ears 50d, 51d.

As is the case with the second form of the invention, the looped end portion of check strap 24d which is connected to outer bolt 60d is also split or severed, as at 101, to provide two separated check strap loop portions 102., 103 which straddle intermediate ear itl() and are posi tioned between intermediate ear 10i) and the respective upper and lower ears 50d, 51d.

Since the inner end of bracket or support 37a is only provided with upper and lower ears 52d, 53d and is devoid of any intermediate ears, the corresponding looped end of check strap 24d need not be split. The belt or check strap 24d may be of the same width throughout its d length. Thus, it will be noted that ears 50d, 51d are spaced slightly further apart than ears 52d, 53d to compensate for the thickness of intermediate ear 100. This may not be entirely necessary if the material is actually removed from the check strap 24d in forming the two separate check strap portions 102, 103. However, it is desirable in the interest of manufacture and maintenance of the useful life of the check strap 24d to merely provide a slit between portions 102, 103 of check strap 24d and to spread these portions apart so they lit astride intermediate ear 100.

The fourth form of the invention shown in FIGURES 10 and l1 is quite similar to the third form of the invention shown in FIGURE 9 and, accordingly, those parts shown in FIGURES 10 and ll which are identical to or substantially the same as like parts shown in FIGURE 9 will bear the same reference characters with the letter e added to the numerals or substituted for the small letter d where applicable, in order to avoid repetitive description.

It will be observed, in the left-hand portion of FIG- URES l0 and ll, that body 40e is provided with upper and lower outwardly projecting arm portions or ears 52e, 53e whose outer ends are interconnected by a pin or rod portion formed integral with the ears 52e, 53e. The left-hand outer edge of body 40e and the proximal surfaces of ears 52e, 53e and rod 105 define an opening 106 through which a portion of looped end member 31e loosely extends. In this form of the invention, a different form of check strap 24e may be used as com pared to the form of check strap shown in FIGURES l through 9.

As best shown in FIGURE 11, `check strap 24e is inthe form of a double-ended belt or strap which is folded laterally at its longitudinal central portion to form a loop 36e and inner and outer runs or reaches 110, 111 which are suitably secured together throughout their length, with the exception of the looped portion 30e. Portions or runs 110, 111 may be secured together by stitching or by a suitable adhesive and, in addition, rivets, such as rivets 112, may be used for securing runs 110, 111 together adjacent the looped portion 30e thereof.

It will also be observed in the right-hand portion of FIGURE ll that the loop 30e, formed integral with the runs 110, i111 of check strap 24e, has a reinforcing pliable portion 114, made from leather or the like, iadhesively or otherwise secured to the inner surface thereof and which substantially surrounds sleeves 96e, it having already been stated that the loop 30e is separated into two portions 102e, .103e by slit 100e.

The free end portions of the runs 110, 111 have the loop member 311e suitably secured thereto and straddling the same, as by means of a rivet 113. The loop member 31e is substantitally the same as the loop members 31 and 31C heretofore described. Check strap 24e may also be provided with a helper strap `at its inner portion, such as the helper strap 33 shown in FIGURE 2.

Although the post or pin 105 may be offset rearwardly of the rear face of body y40e of bracket 37e, in the same manner in which the ears of the previous forms of the invention are offset, pin 105 is shown disposed in substantial alinement with the longitudinal plane or axis of body 40e, because the gear casings or motors of some looms may prohibit any rearward projection of the inner end or ears of the check strap support.

In FIGURES l2 and 13, a fifth form of the invention is shown ywherein the bracket and check strap are quite similar to the bracket 37e and check strap 24e of the fourth form of the invention. Accordingly, those parts of the fifth form of the invention which are substantially `the same as corresponding parts shown in FIGURES l0 and ll will bear the same reference characters with the letter j substituted for the letter e.

rPhe fifth form of the invention differs from the fourth form in that the left-hand or inner end of bracket 57]c is end of said bracket and projecting rearwardly of the plane of said rear face, a shoulder bolt having a body and a reduced threaded portion, said body penetrating one of said ears and engaging the inner surface of the other of said ears, said threaded portion penetrating said other of said ears and having a nut thereon for securing said threaded portion in said other of the ears, and the loop on said strap substantially encircling said body.

ll. In a loom having a lay, an oscillating picker stick, and a check strap for checking movement of the picker stick, and said check strap having at least two separated loop sections on. at least one end thereof; means for supporting said check strap comprising a bracket including a body adapted to be supported on said lay and having a rear surface thereon, at least one end of said body having at least three substantially vertically spaced ears projecting outwardly therefrom, said ears at least partially projecting rearwardly of the rear surface of said body, said ears having axially alined holes therethrough for receiving a pin therein, and said ears being adapted to receive said loop portions therebetween.

12. In a loom having a lay and an oscillating picker stick, a picker stick check comprising a hanger carried by the lay, a support having a body adjustably secured to said hanger, and a check strap provided with a loop on each end portion thereof; the combination therewith of means pivotally connecting opposed end portions of said check strap to the support, said means comprising at least a pair of upper and lower ears projecting from and integral with each end of said body, at least one intermediate ear spaced between each pair of ears and projecting from said body, a pin extending between and carried by said ears at each end of said body, said loops on the strap each being separated into at least two loop sections f1tting between the respective upper and lower ears and the respective intermediate ear, and said loop sections substantially encircling the respective pins.

13. A check strap support for the picker stick check of a loom, wherein said check strap has a loop portion on each end thereof; said support comprising a rigid body having opposed ont and rear Ifaces, at least two spaced lil ears projecting outwardly from each end of said body and having axially lalined holes therethrough adapted for receiving a pin therein, and the ears on at least one end of said body at least partially projecting rearwardly of said rear face and being adapted to receive said loop p0rtion therebetween.

14. A check strap support according to claim 13 wherein said holes are located at least partially rearwardly of said rear face.

15. A check strap support for the picker stick check of a loom wherein said check strap has a loop on at least one end thereof and said loop is separated into at least two loop sections; said support comprising a rigid body having opposed front and rear faces, at least three substantially parallel, spaced ears projecting outwardly from at least one end of said support, at least two of said ears having axially alined holes therethrough adapted vfor receiving a pin therein, and said ears being adapted to receive said separated loop sections therebetween.

16. A check strap support according to claim 15 wherein said ears at least partially project rearwardly of said rear face.

17. A check strap support vaccording to claim 16 wherein said holes are located at least partially rearwardly of said rear face.

18. A loom check strap adapted to be mounted on a check strap support having at least three vertically spaced ears on at least one end thereof, and pin means carried by and extending between said ears; said check strap comprising a pliable strap member having a loop on at least one end thereof, and said loop being separated into at least two loop sections `adapted to iit astraddle the centermost of said ears and to substantially encircle said pin means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,322,685 Crocker June 22, 1943 2,363,458 Budzyna Nov. 21, 1944 2,399,763 Santon May 7, 1946 2,666,455 Gravitt Jan. 19, 1954 

